Expert: Kaza - 8/18/2009

Question
My 6mnth old female bichon is doing really well with housetraining. At night I take her outside @ 10 o'clock and at 1 o'clock she is stirring. I go check on her and find out that she has soiled in her crate. I only feed her 1 cup of food at 7am. She gets no water after 6pm. She is exercised regularly. I have checked for worms and there's none. She does this everynight just since the last 3wks.  Why would she be doing this all of a sudden when nothing has changed with her routine. I don't really think this is because shes sick. She eats Iams Smart puppy. Why is she doing this and how can I correct it??????

Answer
Hiya Kim
it could be that she isnt being stimulated enough for her age, I suggest a long walk before bed and she will be fine, also try covering the crate with a thin sheet this tends to help them feel more secure in their dens. ALso remember that she is now getting of that age when she will be in first heat that will make her agitated.
I am concerned that she is hungry, this is too little and not often enough for a growing 6 month old pup, please increase her frequency to 3 times per day until she is 11 months old.

This little may actually just be hungry.
Try adding foods like salmon, mackeral, oats, carrot batons, cucumber, apple, lamb. ham. chicken, to her dried diet of which we never recommend for bichons.

Hope this helps her settle.

www.eurobichons.com